Timer switch assembly controlling continuous and intermittent operations of an oven

Claim 2

In a timer device adapted for controlling both continuous and intermittent operation of an electrical appliance, the combination including a manually settable predetermining counter comprising a plurality of number wheels rotatable between a predetermined count readout and a selected count readout, rotary drive means for continuously driving the number wheels from said selected count readout to said predetermined count readout, first electrical appliance control means responsive to counter movement into and out of said predetermined count readout to perform a first control function when the counter is driven out of its predetermined count readout and a second control function upon completion of counter movement toward the predetermined count readout, second electrical appliance control means separate from said first control means for effecting said second and first control functions during movement of the counter between the manually selected count readout and the predetermined count readout and cam means operatively associated with the drive means for repeatedly and intermittently operating said second control means.

Claim 3

The timer device of claim 1 wherein said rotary drive means includes a motor having a rotary output and said cam means includes a cam rotatably driven by said rotary output and having plural cam segments controlling the operation of the second control means.

Claim 4

The timer of claim 1 wherein said rotary drive means includes a rotary drive shaft, a drive connector mounted for rotary movement with said shaft and for axial movement relative to the shaft for shifting into and out of driving engagement with the number wheels of the counter and biasing means constantly urging said drive connector into driving engagement with said number wheels.

Claim 5

The timer of claim 3 including manual time selector drive means movable into and out of driving engagement with said counter and adapted to shift said drive connector to disengage the rotary drive means from the number wheels of the counter upon movement of said manual time selector drive means into driving engagement with said number wheels against the bias of said biasing means.

Claim 6

The timer device of claim 1 wherein said second electrical appliance control means includes a switch operative between open and closed circuit conditions and normally biased into said open circuit condition, said rotary drive means includes first and second rotary drive members alternatively shiftable into and out of driving engagement with said number wheels, biasing means for biasing one of said first and second drive members into driving engagement, said cam means including a rotatable cam surface associated with at least one of said first and second drive members and engageable with said switch for intermittently and repeatedly driving said second switch toward its closed circuit condition against its normal bias in response to the rotary driving action of one of said first and second drive members.

Claim 7

The timer of claim 5 wherein said rotary drive means includes a motor having a splined rotary drive connector, said first drive member being connected to said connector through said spline to facilitate axial shifting of said first drive member relative to said connector, said first drive member mounting said cam surface for rotation with said connector, said cam surface having radially extended and radially recessed portions operative irrespective of the axial shifting of said first drive member, said radially extended portion engaging said switch to effect a closed circuit condition and said radially recessed portion releasing said switch to effect an open circuit condition.

Claim 8

The timer of claim 1 wherein the counter includes a transfer pinion shaft and the number wheels include a lowest order number wheel and at least one higher order number wheel having a limit stop cooperating with said transfer pinion shaft to limit rotary motion of said higher order number wheel beyond said predetermined count readout.

Claim 9

The timer of claim 7 wherein the higher order number wheel is provided with a character Bearing surface and a manually operated position control flange extending radially outwardly from the character bearing surface, said limit stop including an annular slot in said flange for receiving the transfer pinion shaft and cooperating therewith to limit rotary motion of said higher order number wheel.

Claim 10

The timer device of claim 1 wherein each number wheel is provided with a detent positioned relative to said predetermined count readout, actuating means for said first electrical appliance control means comprising a lever mounted for movement between an actuating position and a retracted position and having a plurality of fingers engageable with the detents to prevent the continued rotation of said number wheels, spring means for biasing said lever toward said retracted position and said fingers into engagement with said detents, manually operated drive means for driving the number wheels out of their predetermined count readout and driving said fingers out of said detents against the bias of said spring means while moving said lever to said actuating position.

Claim 11

The timer device of claim 1 wherein said predetermining counter includes limit stop means preventing count movement of the number wheels beyond said predetermined count readout.

Claim 12

In a microwave oven timer for controlling both continuous and defrosting operations of a microwave oven, a settable predetermining digital counter including manually operated time input means for setting the counter to a selected time readout, drive means for driving the counter from the selected readout toward a predetermined readout, first oven operation control means responsive to counter movement into and out of said predetermined readout for controlling continuous operation of the microwave oven and terminating operation of said oven when the counter reaches the predetermined readout, second oven operation control means for interrupting said continuous operation during movement of the counter toward said predetermined readout and a control cam operatively associated with said drive means for repeatedly and intermittently operating said second oven operation control means for limited time intervals to effect a defrosting operation.

Claim 13

In a microwave oven timer for controlling both continuous and defrosting operations of a microwave oven, a settable predetermining digital counter including manually operated time input means for setting the counter to a selected time readout, drive means for driving the counter from the selected readout toward a predetermined readout, first oven operation control means responsive to counter movement into and out of said predetermined readout for controlling continuous operation of the microwave oven and terminating operation of said oven when the counter reaches the predetermined readout, second oven operation control means for interrupting said continuous operation during movement of the counter toward said predetermined readout and a control cam operatively associated with said drive means for repeatedly and intermittently operating said second oven operation control means for limited time intervals to effect a defrosting operation.

Claim 14

The timer of claim 11 wherein said drive means includes a motor having a rotary output and said cam means includes a cam rotatably driven by said rotary output and having plural cam segments controlling the operation of the second control means.

Claim 15

The timer of claim 11 wherein said drive means includes a rotary drive shaft, a drive connector mounted for rotary movement with said shaft and for axial movement relative to the shaft for shifting into and out of driving engagement with said counter and biasing means constantly urging said drive connector into driving engagement with the counter.

Claim 16

The timer of claim 13 wherein said manual time input means is shiftable into and out of driving engagement with said counter and adapted to shift said drive connector to disengage the drive means from the counter upon movement of said manual time input means into driving engagement with said counter against the bias of said biasing means.

Claim 17

The timer of claim 11 wherein said second oven control means includes a switch operative between open and closed circuit conditions and normally biased into said open circuit condition, said cam means including a rotatable cam surface engageable with said swith for intermittently and repeatedly driving said second switch toward its closed circuit condition against its normal bias in response to the driving action of said drive means.

Claim 18

The timer of claim 15 wherein said drive means includes a motor having a splined rotary drive connector and a drive member connected to said connector through said spline to facilitate axial shifting thereof relative to said connector, said drive member mounting said cam surface for rotation with said connector, said cam surface having radially extended and radially recessed portions operative irrespective of the axial shifting of said drive member, said radially extended portion engaging said switch to effect a closed circuit condition and said radially recessed portion releasing said switch to effect an open circuit condition.

Claim 19

The timer of claim 11 wherein the counter includes a plurality of rotatable number wheels provided with detents positioned relative to said predetermined readout, actuating means for said first oven control means comprising a lever mounted for movement between an actuating position and a retracted position and having a plurality of fingers engageable with the detents to prevent the continued rotation of said number wheels, spring means for biasing said lever toward said retracted position and said fingers into engagement with said detents, said manually operated time input means being effective to drive said fingers out of said detents against the bias of said spring means and move said lever to said actuating position while setting the counter to a selected time readout.

Claim 20

In a timer device for an electrical appliance, the combination comprising a manually settable predetermining counter comprising a shaft, a lowest order number wheel and at least one higher order number wheel coaxially mounted for rotation on said shaft, a transfer pinion shaft and a transfer pinion rotatably mounted on the pinion shaft for transfering the count between the number wheels, the higher order number wheel having a character bearing surface and a flange extending radially outwardly from the character bearing surface, said flange including a manually operated position control rim, and limit stop means on said higher order number wheel cooperating with said transfer pinion shaft to limit rotary motion of said higher order number wheel beyond predetermined count readout limits.

Claim 21

In a timer device for an electrical appliance, the combination comprising a manually settable predetermining counter comprising a shaft, a lowest order number wheel and at least one higher order number wheel coaxially mounted for rotation on said shaft, a transfer pinion shaft and a transfer pinion rotatably mounted on the pinion shaft for transfering the count between the number wheels, the higher order number wheel having a character bearing surface and a flange extending radially outwardly from the character bearing surface, said flange including a manually operated position control rim, and limit stop means on said higher order number wheel cooperating with said transfer pinion shaft to limit rotary motion of said higher order number wheel beyond predetermined count readout limits.

Claim 22

The timer device of claim 18 wherein said limit stop means includes an annular slot in the flange between the character bearing surface and the outer rim and the transfer pinion shaft extends through said annular slot to limit rotary motion of said higher order number wheel and rotation of the counter beyond predetermined upper and lower count limits.

Claim 23

In a timer device for an electrical appliance the combination comprising a frame, first and second control switches mounted on said frame for operation between open and closed circuit conditions, a manually settable predetermining counter movable into and out of a predetermined count readout comprising a shaft mounted on the frame, a lowest order number wheel and a plurality of higher order number wheels coaxially mounted for rotation on said shaft, actuating means for the first control switch comprising a lever pivotably mounted on said frame for movement between a switch actuating position for effecting a closed circuit condition and a retracted position and having sensing means for sensing movement of the counter into and out of said predetermined count readout to effect movement of said lever between its actuating and retracting positions, manually operated first rotary drive means mounted on the frame for driving the lowest order number wheel out of its predetermined count readout, second rotary drive means including a drive shaft, a drive member mounted for rotation with said shaft and axially shiftable relative thereto for movement into and out of driving engagement with the lowest order number wheel and biased into driving engagement therewith, and a rotatable cam associated with at least one of said first and second drive means and engageable with said second control switch for intermittently and repeatedly driving said second switch between its open and closed circuit positions in response to the rotary driving action of one of said first and second drive means, said predetermining counter including a higher order number wheel having a limit stop and a transfer pinion shaft mounted on the frame and cooperating with said limit stop to limit rotary motion of said higher order number wheel.

Claim 24

In a timer device for an electrical appliance the combination comprising a frame, first and second control switches mounted on said frame for operation between open and closed circuit conditions, a manually settable predetermining counter movable into and out of a predetermined count readout comprising a shaft mounted on the frame, a lowest order number wheel and a plurality of higher order number wheels coaxially mounted for rotation on said shaft, actuating means for the first control switch comprising a lever pivotably mounted on said frame for movement between a switch actuating position for effecting a closed circuit condition and a retracted position and having sensing means for sensing movement of the counter into and out of said predetermined count readout to effect movement of said lever between its actuating and retracting positions, manually operated first rotary drive means mounted on the frame for driving the lowest order number wheel out of its predetermined count readout, second rotary drive means including a drive shaft, a drive member mounted for rotation with said shaft and axially shiftable relative thereto for movement into and out of driving engagement with the lowest order number wheel and biased into driving engagement therewith, and a rotatable cam associated with at least one of said first and second drive means and engageable with said second control switch for intermittently and repeatedly driving said second switch between its open and closed circuit positions in response to the rotary driving action of one of said first and second drive means, said predetermining counter including a higher order number wheel having a limit stop and a transfer pinion shaft mounted on the frame and cooperating with said limit stop to limit rotary motion of said higher order number wheel.

Claim 25

In a timer device for cOntrolling the operation of a microwave oven including a defrosting operation, the combination comprising a frame, first and second switches mounted on said frame for operation between open and closed circuit conditions and normally biased into said open circuit condition, a manually settable predetermining counter comprising a shaft mounted on the frame, a lowest order number wheel and a plurality of higher order number wheels coaxially mounted for rotation on said shaft, each number wheel having a detent positioned relative to a predetermined count readout, actuating means for the first switch comprising a lever pivotably mounted on said frame for movement between a switch actuating position and a retracted position and having a plurality of fingers adapted to engage the detents on the number wheels and prevent the continued rotation thereof, a spring biasing said fingers toward said retracted position and said fingers into engagement with said detents, manually operated first rotary drive means mounted on the frame for driving the lowest order number wheel out of its predetermined count readout and driving said fingers out of said detents against the bias of said spring to move said lever to the switch actuating position, second rotary drive means including a drive shaft, a drive member mounted for rotation with said shaft and axially shiftable relative thereto for movement into and out of driving engagement with the lowest order number wheel and biased into driving engagement therewith, said first rotary drive means being coaxially mounted with said shiftable drive member and axially shiftable therewith for movement into driving engagement with the lowest order number wheel against the bias of said drive member and a rotatable cam associated with said second drive means and engageable with said second switch for intermittently and repeatedly driving said second switch between its open and closed circuit positions in response to the rotary driving action of said second drive means, said predetermining counter including a higher order number wheel having a number bearing surface and a manually operated position control rim extending radially outwardly from the number bearing surface, said rim being provided with an annular slot between the number bearing surface and the outer periphery of the rim and a transfer pinion shaft mounted on the frame and extending through said annular slot to limit rotary motion of said higher order number wheel.

Claim 26

In a timer device for cOntrolling the operation of a microwave oven including a defrosting operation, the combination comprising a frame, first and second switches mounted on said frame for operation between open and closed circuit conditions and normally biased into said open circuit condition, a manually settable predetermining counter comprising a shaft mounted on the frame, a lowest order number wheel and a plurality of higher order number wheels coaxially mounted for rotation on said shaft, each number wheel having a detent positioned relative to a predetermined count readout, actuating means for the first switch comprising a lever pivotably mounted on said frame for movement between a switch actuating position and a retracted position and having a plurality of fingers adapted to engage the detents on the number wheels and prevent the continued rotation thereof, a spring biasing said fingers toward said retracted position and said fingers into engagement with said detents, manually operated first rotary drive means mounted on the frame for driving the lowest order number wheel out of its predetermined count readout and driving said fingers out of said detents against the bias of said spring to move said lever to the switch actuating position, second rotary drive means including a drive shaft, a drive member mounted for rotation with said shaft and axially shiftable relative thereto for movement into and out of driving engagement with the lowest order number wheel and biased into driving engagement therewith, said first rotary drive means being coaxially mounted with said shiftable drive member and axially shiftable therewith for movement into driving engagement with the lowest order number wheel against the bias of said drive member and a rotatable cam associated with said second drive means and engageable with said second switch for intermittently and repeatedly driving said second switch between its open and closed circuit positions in response to the rotary driving action of said second drive means, said predetermining counter including a higher order number wheel having a number bearing surface and a manually operated position control rim extending radially outwardly from the number bearing surface, said rim being provided with an annular slot between the number bearing surface and the outer periphery of the rim and a transfer pinion shaft mounted on the frame and extending through said annular slot to limit rotary motion of said higher order number wheel.